Machine for separating and feeding blanks



May 3., 1927.

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WILLIAM WARD DAVIDSON, OF STON, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO DAVIDSON MAN U- `FACTURING COMPANY, OF MADISON, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN.

MACHINE FORSEPAMTING AND FEEDING BLANxs.

lThis invention relates to machines for separating and feeding blanks, as sheets of ppeiypenvelopes, cards, pamphlets and the li e.

The name blanks will be used throughout the specification and claims to designate all of the different articles vwhich the machine is adapted to handle.

Among the objects of the invention are: to provide. a machine adapted for receiving a relatively very large quantity of blanks whereby it will be necessary to refill the niaehiiie with blanks only at relatively long' intervals;` to provide a machine in which the blanks, as they are drawn from-the pack, will be subjected to no resistancedue to the weight of the pack or the means for supporting the same.; which may be quickly and accurately adjusted for separating and feeding different kinds of blanks and also different kinds of stock, that is stock of varying thickness, stiffness and degrees of finish; and to provide a machine in whiclrthe traction of the separator roll with the` blanks, as they are withdrawn from the pack, may be adjusted to correspond tothe resistance offered to the withdrawal of the single blanks from the pack.

To effect the various objects of the invention, my improved machine'coniprises a cai'- i-iage mounted on the machine frame so as to be movable vertically, on which the blanks are adapted to be supported in flatwise position, a separator roll adapted to contact directly with the top Blank vof the pack, an adjustable counterweight applied to said separator roll, whereby the traction of said separator roll with the blanks may be adjusted to correspond to the resistance offered to the withdrawal of said blanks, a separator plate in association with said separator roll, means for varying the relative positions of said separator roll and pla-te, means for varying the inclination of the separator' plate, referably without varying the distance .etween the edge of said plate and the separator roll, means for raising and lowering thc pack carriage, comprising power means for raising the same, and means for imparting step by step rotation to the separator roll. r

My improved machine also comprises the various other features, combination of feational view on the line 2**--2a to provide a machine i 'Applica/aga ined November 21, 1922. serial No. 602,359.

Figures 2 and 3 are, respectively, enlarged rigli't'and left hand side views thereof.

Figure 2a is a fragmentary, detail secr of Fig. 2. Figure 4 is a rear view thereof. v

Figures 5 and 6 are, respectively, sectional elevations on the lines 5 5 and 6 6 of Figure 6a is a fragmentary view on the.

line 6-6 of Fig. l, showing the guide plate for the blanks in raised position.'

Figure `7 is an enlarged top plan view, parts of the machine being omitted to disclose underlying parts.`

Figure 8 is an enlarged front view partir:` ularly designed to show the separator mechanism, other parts of the machine being, for the most part, omitted.

Figure 9 is a detached side View of the ratchet gear for operating the shaft of the separator' roll.

Figure 10 is a of the ratchet mechanism for pack carriage on gear forming part of the raising and lowering the the line 10--10 of Fig. 7.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary sectional elevation on the line 11-11 of the means for supporting blank separator devices.

Figures 12 and 13 are detached views showing in side elevation and longitudinal section, respectively, devices applied to the separator roll for cleaning and roughening the same.

Figure 14 is a top plan view of the conveyor board.

Figure 15 is a right handelevation of said conveyor board shown as applied in use in full lines, and in raised position, to render underlying parts accessible, in dotted line.

Figure 16 is a left hand side elevation of the conveyor board shown as applied in use.

Figure 17 is an end view of the conveyor board from the position 17-17 ofFig. 16, showing the top section thereof in raised position, in dotted lines; and

Figure 18 is a sectional elevation corresponding. substantially, to Fig. 6, illustratand adj ustiiig the detachedsectional side view ig. 4, showing itl ing an adaptation of my improved machine for feeding envelopes. The frame of my improved machine designated as a whole A, comprises substantially similar right and left hand frame members a, a1, which are rigidly connected in spaced relation by transverse rods or bars 1 and 2, said frame members being shaped to form supporting' legs or standards adapted to rest on the floor or other support, the line of which is indicated at a`.

'lhe pack of blanks, designated B, is supported upon a carriage, C comprising side vframe members c, c1, rigidly connected 'by transverse bars tl and 4, and brackets 5, 51,

supported on said bars so as to be adjustable towards and from each other and adapted to be secured in adjusted positions by set screws 6 threaded through bosses on said brackets, iu line with the transverse bar 3 of the carriage. The pack B rests directly upon a board 7 supported on arms 8 of the brackets 5, 51, the plane of the top sides of said bracket arms and the plate 7 being substantialiy horizontal, whereby the pack of blanks B will be supported atwise in substantially horizontal position. The width of the board 'i' is approximately equal to the width of the blanks which are to be fed and to adapt the machine for feeding .blanks of different widths, boards of different widths will be provided, said boards being preferably unattached so that they may be changed quickly when desired.

The pack carriage C is bodil movable vertically, being confined and guided in its vertical movement by engagement of `rigid parts thereof with guide bearings on the machine frame. In the preferable construction shown, vertically spaced roller-studs 10, 101, project from opposite sides of the car riage C and are fitted to run in guide grooves l1, 111, formed in the adjacent sides of the frame members a, a1.

The pack of blanks B is supported and confined upon the pack carriage C and the position of the blanks relative to the separator mechanism, presently described, is de-V lined by'side guides consisting. as shown, of angle bars 12, 121, supported in upright parallel positions` on the transverse frame ars 1 and 2 so as to be separately adjustable transversely of the machine and adapted to be secured in adjusted positions by set screws 13 threaded through said guide bars and adapted to impinge upon the frame bar 1. Formed on or secured to the upper ends of the guide bars 12, 121, are rearwardly extending plates 14, 141, the inner sides or faces of which are substantially parallel with each other and are positioned in the planes of the inner sideso'f surfaces of the lateral flanges of the guide bars 12, 121 to which they are secured, respectively.

' '.lhe lateral flanges of the guide bars 12, 121

are adapted to embrace the lateral sides of the pack of blanks B, and to support and guide said blanks as the carriage is raised in the operation of the machine, while the rearwardly extending plates 14, 141 embrace the lateral sides of the blanks adjacent to the top of the pack, when in position for feeding, and to prevent the blanks from catching on the lower edges of the rearwardly extending plates 14, 141, their lower edges are outwardly and downwardly flared, as shown at 15, 151, the flared lower edges of said plates also operated to guide the blanks at'the top of the pack C into proper position between the parallel sides or faces of said rearward extensions 14, 141, as the pack carriage is raised.

lf found necessary or desirable, means are also provided for tilting the blanks of the pack B at a slight angle frontwards and downwards, thus insuring that the front edges of the blanks will rest in contact with the front flanges of the guide bars 12, 121, said means consisting, as shown, of bars 16, 161, the front ends of which rest upon the front ends of the upper surfaces of the brackets 5, 51, being confined in position thereon by headed studs 17 which are threaded into the brackets 5, 51, and are loosely fitted to l'oles 18 formed in said bars 16, 161. At their rear ends, said bars are supported by means of screws 19 threaded through the outer ends of the brackets 5, 51, upon the upper ends of which the bars are adapted to rest. As shown, displacement of the bars 16, 161 is prevented by engagement of the upper ends of said screws 19 with holes formed in the under side of said bars, as shown at 20, the upper ends of said screws and the holes which receive the same, being preferably correspondingly tapered. The supporting screws 19 are adapted to be secured in different adjusted position's by means of lock nuts 21, in a familiar manner. lVith the described construction, it is obvious that the inclination of the blanks of the pack B may be varied as desired, within limits or, by removing the screws 19 and permitting the bars 16, 161 to rest flat upon the brackets 5, 51--the blanks will be supported flatwise in horizontal position.

The pack carriage C is supported by means of chain belts 22 connected thereto and which pass over sprocket wheels secured to a shaft 24 rotatably mounted in suitable bearings in the frame members a, a1. The ends of said' chain belts opposite to the ends thereof attached to the pack carriage, hang free, weights being preferably suspended therefrom, adapted to prevent jumping of said chain belts calculated to cause disengagen'ient thereof from the teeth of the sprocket wheels 23.

The pack carriage C is adapted to bc lating raised both by power and manually, but can be lowered manually only.

As shown, the power operating means for raising saidpack carriage is as follows: Rdtatably mounted in bearings in the side frame members is a shaft 26 to which oscilmovement is adapted to be imparted by means of a lever arm 27 secured to said shaft, said lever arm being connected by a. rod`28 with a driven part of the machine in connection with which my improved separating and feeding machine is being used. Also, to provide for throwing the machine out of operation without stopping the mato engage a notch 4()` in a lug 41 t As shown, the means Vclutch are as follows: The bar 30 in which chine to which it isapplied, said lever arm 27 is loosely mounted on the rock shaft 26 and is adapted to be secured thereto and disconnected therefrom by means of .a suitable clutch, which may conveniently be manipulated by the operator to throw the separator mechanism into and out of operation. As shown, said clutch consists rigidly secured to a bar 30, said pins being slidably fitted to holes formed -in a head 31 on the upper end of the arm 27, and being adapted to engage corresponding holes formed in lugs 32 on a head 33 secured to the rock shaft 26.

for operating said the pins 29 are secured is pivoted to a block 34 secured to a rod 35 which is movable endwisein bearings formed in the side frame members a, a1, the relation being such that endwise movement of said rod in opposite directions will impart bodily movement to the block 34 to efect engagement' and disengagement of the clutch pins 29 with and from the holes in the lugs 32 on the head 33 secured to the shaft 26.

Endwise movement is adapted to be imparted to the rod 35 to throw out said clutchl by a spring applied thereto and said rod is adapted to be moved endwise against the force of said spring by a lever arm secured thereto. As shown, the means for operating said clutch are as follows :--The end of the clutch operating rod 35 projects through and beyond the side frame member a and mounted to turn in bearings formed in brackets 36 secured to the frame member a is a rod 37 secured to which `is a lever arm 38, a rearward extension 39 of which is adapted secured to and which projects laterally from said frame member a, engagement of said extension with' said notch operating to secure the lever arm 38 in position to effect engagement of said clutch. Pinned or Aotherwise rigidly secured to the upper end of the rod 37 is an arm 42, the end of which engages a notch 43 formed in the adjacent side of the clutch operating rod 35. Surrounding the rod 37 is a coiled spring 44 the opposite ends of l which are anchored to the lever arm 38 and of pins 29' to a pin 45 secured in a collar 46 iitted to turn on the rod 37, thel pin 45 being of such length that, by contact with the side of the frame `member a, turning of said pin and collar by the/spring 44 will be prevented. As previously stated, the spring 44 is applied to Athe rod 37 in such man'ner that movement of the clutch operating rod 35 under the influence vof said spring will disengage the clutchpins 29 from the holes in the lugs 32, while the lever arm' 38 provides means for turning `the rod ,3T-against the lforce of said spring to impart endwise movement to said clutchoperating rod to effect engagement of the clutch-,in which position it is adapted to be locked by engagement of the extension 39 of said lever arm y.with the notch 40 1n the bracket 41. Also, to provide for pivotal movement ofthe lever arm 38 to effect engagement and disengagement of the extension 39 of said .arm with and from the notch 40, the means for securing-said lever arm to said rod .37 consists of a slot 47 formed in said lever arm and a pivot pin 48 secured in sald lever arm which extends across the sloty therein and engages .a hole formed in the rod 37. With the described construction it is obvious that the spring 44 will tend to impart pivotal movement to the lever arm 38 to effect engagement 'of the, extension 39 thereof with the notch 40, while at the same time, permitting ,pivotal movement of said lever arm on the pivot pin to eil-'ect engagement and disengagement of said lever arm extension 39 with and from the notch-40.y

In addition to the means for operating said clutch manually, my improved machine preferably comprises automatic lmeans for throwing out'said clutch' when the packcarriage C attains a predetermined position, as it is fed upwards, Y

As shown, the means for `this purpose comprises a lug or projection 391, on said pack-carriage which' projects beneath the rearward extension 39 of the clutch operating lever 38, when in engagement with the notch 40 formed in the lug 4l, the relation being such that, as the pack-carriage approaches the limit of its upward movement, the lug 391 will engage the rearward extension 39 of the clutch operating lever 38 and will disengage it from the notch 40-thus permitting the spring 44 to disengage the clutch-at the same time that said pack-carriage reaches the designedlimit-of its movement. Also, to providey for varying disen.- gagement of the clutch relative to the movement of the pack-carriage, the lug 391 forms a separate part and is secured to the packcarriage soas to be vertically adjustable thereon. `To this end said lug is secured to said pack-carriage by clamping screws 392 -secured inthe frame member c of the packcarriage and which extend through a slot 39s formed in said lug, said slot being longer Ilm lill

than the distance between the remote sides of said clamping screws.

As shown, also, the power driving connections for the shaft 24 comprise a ratchet gear, designated as a whole D, Vso constructed and arranged that oscillation of the shaft 26 will impart step by step rotation to the shal't 24 in a direction to raise the pack carriage C. As shown, said ratchet gearing comprises a ratchet wheel 49 mounted to turn on the shaft 26, secured to rotate with which is a pinion 50 which meshes with a gear 5l secured to the shaft 24. Step by step rotation is adapted to be imparted to the ratchet wheel 49 by an actuating pawl 52 pivoted to an arm 53 mounted to turn on the shaft 26, which is adapted to engage the teeth of the ratchet wheel 49, and backing up of the ratchet wheel, when the actuating pawl v52 is retracted, is prevented by a retaining pawl 54 pivoted to a stud or boss 55 on the frame member a.

. Rctraction of the actuating pawl 52 is adapted to be effected by means of a spring 56, or equivalent yielding means, applied to a rod 57 mounted to turn in bearings in the side frame members a, alp, said rod being connected with the pawl arm 53 by means of a. link 58 kpivoted to said pawl arm and to an arm -59`secured to the rod 57, and said actuating pawllis adapted to be advanced to rotate the ratchet wheel 49, by'means ot a lever 60 pivoted to the stud 55 and which extends downwardly and rearwardly beneath the shaft 26 directly below the pawl arm 53, the rear end of said lever 60 being connected to the rear end of the pawl arm 53 by means ofV a link 61 pivoted to said lever arm and connected to the pawl arm v53 by a stud 62 secured in said pawl arm and which extends through a slotl 63 inthe link 61. The lever 60 is adapted to be maintained yieldingly at the upward limit of its movement by means of aspring 64 which connects said levcr with a pin 65 secured in the frame member a, and said lever 60 is adapted to be depressed against the force of the spring 64 at each osclllation of the rock shaft 26 by means of a roller stud 66 secured to said lever 60`between its ends, said roller stud running in contact with a cam 67 secured to' the rock shaft 26.

In the operation of the machine, the actuating pawl 52 is adapted to be maintained y inactive, at intervals, by means controlled ty variations in the level of the top of the pack of blanks B, the relation being such that when-the level of the top of the pack attains a predetermined height, said actuating pawl will be maintained inoperative, but will again become operative when the top of the pack falls below said predetermined level. As shown, the means for thus controlling the operation of said actuating pawl 52 consists of an arm 68 secured to the rod 57, mounted at the outer end of which is a roller 69 which is adapted to bear against the topmost blank of the pack B when the level of the top of the pack is at or adjacent to its extreme upper limit, the relation being such that when the level of the top of the pack B attains a predetermined height, turning movement of the rod 57 by the spring 56 will be limited by contact of the roller 69 with the top of the pack B, to limit retraction of theactuating pawl 52 to a distance less than the pitch of the teeth of the ratchet wheel 49, thus rendering said actuating pawl inoperative and preventing the pack-carriage C from being raised thereby. As the level of the top ot' the pack B falls-that is as blanks are withdrawn-the turning movement ot' the rod 57 will gradually increase until, when the level of the top of the pack falls below said predetermined level, the retraction of the actuating pawl 52 will be suliicient to render it operative-that is to cause it to engage the next rearward tooth of the ratchet wheel 49-thus,.through the gearing associated therewith, turning the sprocket Wheel shaft 24 and raising the pack carriage C to again bring the top of 'the pack B above its predetermined upper limit.

This cycle isrepeated indefinitely throughout the operation of the machine.

To prevent bending or distortion of the arm 68 by raising the pack-carriage C so that the level of the to be appreciably hlgher t an the contemplated extreme upper operating limit thereof-due to inexperience or carelessness on the part of the operator and which `would throw the machine out of normal adjustment-the said arm.. 68 is preferably connected to the rod 57 so as to turn thereon and is maintained yieldingly in operative position by means of a spring applied thereto adapted to hold said arm yieldingly in contact with a rigid stop on said rod 57. As shown, the spring applied to said arm 68, designated 70, conslsts of a coiled spring which surrounds the rod 57, one end of which is secured to said rod and the other to the arm 68, and the stop on said rod 57 consists of an arm 71 rigidly secured to the rod 57 adjacent to the arm 68, formed on which isa lug 72 which projects laterally from said arm 71 beneath i the arm 68 and supports said arm 68 from bein turned by the spring 70. The spring 1s of such strength and is applied to the arm 68 in such relation that it will overcome the tension of the spring 56, so that contact of the roller 69 with the top of the pack B, when it attains or Iexceeds its predetermined limit, will arrest turning movement ofthe shaft 57 by the spring 56 before the actuating pawl 52 is retracted a sutlicient distance to engage the next rearward tooth of the ratchet wheel 49.

With the exercise of very little care by of the pack B will 49, rotation of said pinion by said crank ina direction to cause the teeth of"l the ratchet wheel 49 to overrun the pawls 52 and 54 operating to turn the gear 51 and the sprocket wheel, 4shaft 24 in a direction to raise the pack carriage C.

To lowerthe pack carriage C, it is first necessary to disengage both the actuating -pawl 52 and the retaining pawl 54 from the teeth of the ratchet wheel 49 to permit the sprocket Wheelshaft 24 to be turned backwards and, to prevent 'the pack carriage fromv falling from its own Weightor the added weight of a pack of blanks B carried thereby, the means for disengaging said pawls is preferably so constructed and ar ranged that it may be operated With one hand only, leaving theother hand free to lower said pack carriage gradually by` grasping the handle of the crank 73.

In the preferable construction shown,

both of said pawls. are spring actuatedl pawls, and the means for disengaging them consistsof a lever arm 74 applied directly to the retaining pawl 54, adapted to turn said pawl pivotally to disengage it from the ratchet wheel 49, and the means for disengaging the pawl 52 comprising an arm 75 forming an extension of the lever arm 74, a roller stud 76 on which is adapted to engage an extension 77 of the actuating pawl 52 beyond its pivotal point, the relation being such that when the lever arm 74 is turned pivotally'to disengage the retaining pawl 54. the roller stud 76 on the extension 7 5 of said. lever arm will engage the extension 77 of the actuating` pawl 52 and will turn same pivotally to disengage said actuating pawl `from thelteeth of the ratchet Wheel 49 in the manner desired.

Considered Without reference to detail, the separator mechanism of my improved machine is of the general type comprising,4

in combination, a separator roll and a separator plate, the separator roll-in operation, resting-upon the top blank of the pack of blanks B on the pack-carriage C, and the free edge of the separator plate extending a suflicient distance above the plane of the top of the pack B-Which is substantially coincident with a horizontal-plane tangent to the under side of the separator'roll-#so that the advancing edge of the top blank will 'engage said separator plate adjacent to its free upper edge, and the traction of the separator' roll will operate to force said top blank over the top edge of said plate to devices adapted for delivering the blanks to mechanisms in connection with which they are. to be used. However, as my invention relates to the separator mechanism it yembodies several novel features of great value and importance, which, so far as I have an knowledge, are broadly new. Among t lese are the following 1. A separator roll supportedvso that it will be freely movable, both up anddown, and a counter-balance therefor.v whereby the traction of said separator roll may.. be

varied as desired to adapt the machine forfeeding'different kinds of blanks and stocks which differ in thickness, stiffness and finish-that is which is smoother or rougher, as the case may be.

2., A separator roll supported so` that it" admits of a relatively wide range of adjustment towards and from the separator plate, together with means for effecting such adjustment; and

3. Provision for varying the inclination of the separator plate without varying the position of the free ed'ofe of said plate relative to the separator roll.

In detail, the construction of av separator mechanism constituting Wha-t I now consider to be the preferable embodiment of my invention and improvements relating thereto, designated as a whole E, is as follows i-The frame of said separator mechanism consists of a. front member 7 8l and side members 7 9,

791', rigidly secured to opposite ends of the front member 78 and which extend rearwardly therefrom a'nd are substantially parallel with each other. Said frame is preferably stamped from suitable sheet steel-a desirable thickness being about 12 gauge-and is supported so as to be bodily movable both up and down. As shown, the front frame member 78 is secured to a rod 80 pivoted in the ends of arms 81 secured to. and which project rearwardly from a rock shaft 82 mounted to turn in bearings formed in the side frame members a, a1, said frame being supported in upright position by means of roller studs 83 on the side members 79, 791 of the separator frame, which' engage guide grooves or channels 84 in the inner sides of the side members a, al, of the main fra-me of the machine. The Weight of the separator unit E is sup orted in part by a counter weight 85 Whic is adjustable endwise on a lever arm 86 secured to the .rock shaft 82, a set screw 87 threaded to a prevented by means of a suitable stop which limits depression of the separator unit E. As shown, said stop consists of a block 88 secured to the side frame member a1, the upper end of which is adapted to enter the guide groove or channel 84 in said frame member, said block being secured to sa'id frame member a1 so as to be adjustable vertically, simple means for this purpose consisting of a clamping screw 89 threaded into said side-frame member and which extends through a slot 90 formed in a downward eX- tension of the block 88.

rlhe separator roll 91 is secured to a shaft 92 rotatably mounted in bearings formed in blocks 93, 931, which are slidably supported on links 94, 941 opposite ends of which are pivotally connected to rock arms 95 and 96 and 951 and 961, the rock arms 95, 951 being pivoted to the side members 79, 791 of the separator frame and the rock arms 96, 961 being pinned or otherwise rigidly secured to the rod 80 to which the front transverse member 78 of the separator frame is secured. The rock arms 95 and 96 and 951 and 961 are of substantially the same length, as a're also the links 94, 941, the relation being such thatl the links 94, 941 will be substantially horizontal in all pivotal positions of said rock arms.

With the described construction it is obvious that the rock arms 96, 961 will be connected in fixed relation by the rod 80 to which said rock arms are rigidly secured.

The separator plate 97 is hinged to the upper edge of the front member 78 of the separator frame at the front side of the separator roll 91, preferably by means of a knuckle-joint, the separator frame member 78 and the separator plate 97 forming the leaves or straps of the hinge and the rod 80 the hinge pin or pintle.

The separator plate 97 is disposed with its free edge upwardly and is of such vertical dimension that its free edge will yextend above a1 horizontal plane tangent to the under side of the separtor roll, the .relation being such that when the tp blank of the pack B is in operative contact with the under side of the separator roll, its front edge will be below the free edge of said separator plate. As shown, said separator plate is supported and adapted to be adjusted pivotally by means of rigid connection with the rock arms 96, 961, a convenient form of connect-ion consisting of rods 98, 981, rigidly secured in and which project inwardly from said rock arms 96, 961, respectively, and which are'rigidly secured to opposite ends of said separator plate.

In accordance with my invention, also, means are provided for adjusting the feed roll 91 towards and from the separator plate but without varying the position or inclination of said separator plate. As shown, the

means for this purpose consists of rack bars 99, 991, pivoted to the upper ends of the rock arms 95, 951 and 96, 961 in the same relation as the links 94, 941, meshing with which, respectively, are gears 100, 1001, secured to a shaft 101 rotatably mounted in bearings in the blocks 93, 931. W ith the described construction, rotation of the gear shaft 101 will operate to adjust the bearing block 93, 931 and thus the separator roll 91, either towards or from the separator plate, as said shaft is turned in one direction or the other, without, however, afiecting the pivotal adjustment of the separator plate. As shown, the gear shaft is adapted to be turned by means of a hand wheel 102 secured thereto, which, to provide for securing the separator roll in adjusted positions, is loose on the gear shaft 101 and is secured thereto by means of a' pin 103 secured in said shaft which engages a slot 104 formed in the outer end of the hub of said hand wheel, and threaded to the end of said gear shaft outside of said hand Wheel, is a clamping nut 105 adapted for clamping said hand wheel to the bearing block 93, thus preventing turning of said gear shaft and securing the bearing blocks 93, 931 in fixed position on the links 94, 941, and the separator roll 91 in fixed adjustment relative to the separator plate 97.

rlhe object of the described adjustability of the separator roll and separator plate is for the purpose of adapting the machinefor separating blanks of .different kinds, particularly blanks differing in thickness and stiffness. For separating blanks which are relatively thick or stiff, the separator roll is adjusted away from the separator plate, and the separator plate is adjusted pivotally to increase its angle of inclinationv to the vertical; while for feeding thinner or moreI flexible blanks, the separator roll is adjusted towards the separator plate and the separator plate is adjusted pivotally to decrease its inclination to the vertical.

The rock arms 96, 961 and thus the separator plate 97 are adapted to be adjusted pivotally to impart greater or less inclination to said separator plate by means of a thumbv screw 106 secured against endwise movement in a stud 107 pivoted in a downward extension 108 of the rock arm 95, said thumb screw being threaded through a rod 109 fitted to turn in a hole formed in the outer end of a stud 110 secured in and which projects laterally from the side member 79 of the separator frame, holes being formed in opposite sides of said stud, through which the thumb screw 106 extends, said holes being suliiciently larger than the rod 109 to permit turning of' said rod as the rock arm 95 is adjusted pivotally, that is without causing said thumb screw to come into contact with the sides of said holes, which would prevent further turning of said rod 109 and also of the rock arm 95 and of the downward extension 108 thereof.

When the clamping nut is tightened to secure the gear shaft 101 from turning, thus securing the bearing blocks 93, 931 and the feed roll 91 in fixed position on the rack bars 99, 991, turning the thumb screw 106 will impart pivotal movement to the rock arms 96, 961 and to the separator plate 97 to impart greater or less inclination to Said separator plate, but without varying the distance of the separator roll and the separator plate relatively to each other.

In practice, the separator plate 97 will have a capacity for adjustment through an angle of approximately 30 degrees, varying from a substantially vertical position at one limit to an upwardly and frontwardly inclined position of about 30 ydegrees to the vertical at the other limit of its adjustment, and the approximate inclination of said .separator plate to the vertical is adapted to be indicated by means of graduations 111 on the outer side of a rearward projection 112 of the side member 79 of the separator frame and an index finger 113 formed at the extreme lower end of the downward extension 108 of the rock arm 95. As shown, the graduation marked l indicates the vertical position of said separator plate and each succeeding graduation-marked, respectively, 2, 3, 4 and 5-an increment in the inclination of said separator plate to the vertical of approximately 6 degrees.

For reasons presently apparent, the bearing block 931 in which the feed roll shaft 92 is mounted, is cut away at its top side forming sections connected at their lower ends by'a part of said block, the sections of said block being separated by a space or opening 114,

.see particularly Fig. 8.

While, as herein shown and described, the bearing blocks 93, 931 are slidably supported on both the links 94, 941 and on the rack bars 99, 991, my invention contemplates equally dispensing with the links 94, 941,

yrack bars 99, 991 onl lthe end of the sprocket sald bearing blocks on the In operation, step by step rotation is imparted to the separator roll shaft 92 in clockwise direction, Fig. 6, by means of driving connection with the oscillating lever 27, in the following manner z-Pivoted on wheel shaft 24 which projects through the side member a1 of the main frame of the machine, is a bell-crank lever 115 mounted on one arm of which is a roller stud 116 which is adapted to run in contact with a cam 117 secured to the rock shaft 26,' and applied to which is a spring 118 adapted to turn said bellcrank lever 115 pivotally in a direction to maintain the roller stud 116 in engagement and supporting plate which forms an integraly with the tread of the cam 117. The opposite end of said bell-crank lever is connected by a link 119 with a lever arm 120 pivoted to the member a1 of the main yframe of the machine, and pivoted said lever arm 120 is a rack bar 121, the teeth of which mesh with the teeth of a spur gear 122 cn the separator roll shaft 92, which is adapted to be connected to said shaft by a ratchet gear comprising a ratchet wheel 123 secured to the gear 122 so as to rot-ate therewith, a casing or pawl carrying member 124 secured to the separator roll shaft, see particularly Fig. 9, and pawls 125 on said pawl carrying member which are adapted to engage the teeth of the ratchet wheel 123 when rotation is imparted to said rachet Wheel by the gear 122 in a direction corresponding to rotation of the separator roll 91 to withdraw a blank from the top of the pack B.

As shown, the ratchet pawls 125 are mounted on the outer surface of a flange 126 forming part of the casing or pawl vcarrier 124, the contacting surfaces of vsaid flange 126 and of the pawls 125 being circular and of substantially the same radius. The pawls 125 are provided with holes which are adapted to engage and are loosely fitted to studs 127 secured -in the flange 126, said pawls being held yieldingly in engagement with the studs 127 by means of leaf springs 128 secured to saidjflange, the free ends of which bear upon the outer sides of said pawls. Any stresses to which the pawls jected in the operation of the sustained by projections 129 at of said pawls which engage slots formed transversely in the flange 126 of the pawl carrier. The ends of the pawls 125 which engage the teeth of the ratchet wheel 123 are turned inwardly and extend through holes or openings 130 formed in the flange 126 of the pawl carrier. I do not, however, desire to limit myself to the particular form of ratchet gear shown, as my invention contemplates the use of any desired form of ratchet suitable for the purpose.

The rack formed on the rack bar 121 is maintained in engagement with the teeth of thegear 122 by means of a retainer 131 pivoted to the separator roll shaft 92, a flange 132 on which extends over and' has sliding engagement with the upper surface or said rack bar.

With the described construction, it is obvious that pivotal movement'of the bellcrank lever 115 by the cam 117 and by the spring 118, through its described connection with the separator roll shaft 92, will operate to impart stepby step rotation -to said separator roll shaft and to the separator roll4 91 in a direction to effect separation of machine, are the rear` ends shown, being such that rotation to effect to the upper end of 125 are sub- L llU separation of the blanks will be produced by pivotal movement of said bell-crank lever 115 by the cam 117, the idle position of said separator roll and shaft corresponding to pivotal movement of said bell-crank lever by the spring 118.

In practice, the operative length of the rack bar actuating lever' 120 is so proportioned to the distance from the pivotal axis of said lever to the point of pivotal connection thereto of the link 119, that rotationv through a relatively long arc vand at a relatively high rate of speed will be imparted to the separator roll. As shown, the rela tion is such that the endwise travel of said rack bar will impart approximately one complete revolution'to the separator roll. Obviously, however, this relation admits of a. wide range of variation.

It is found in practice that due to the formation on the separator roll 91 of a coating of lint, dust and other dirt in finely comininuted form, the surface of said roll becomes glazed after a short time and loses its traction to a considerable extent, as a result of which its feeding action becomes imperfect. To remedy this condition, I provide what may appropriately be `designated a separator roll dresser, comprising an abrading surface adapted to rest lightly in contact with the tread of the separator roll, said abrading surface operating to remove the glazed coating from said roll and thus restore its traction and normal operation.

As shown, see particularly Figs. 12 and 13, said separator roll dresser comprises a plate 133, the rear end of which is attached to a rod 134, supported and free to turn in bearings formed in lugs 135 on the blocks 93, 931, in which the separator roll shaft is mounted. Preferable means for attaching said plate 133 to the rod 134, consists of lugs 136 on said plate provided with holes 137 through which the rod 134 passes, both said holes and the section of said rod which engages the same being square. The holes 137 are slightly larger than the cross section of the square portion of the rod 134, thus permitting free movement of the plate 133 Within limits, but without permitting said plate to turn on said rod.

The portion of the plate 133 directly above the separator roll 91 is struck up as shown at 138, and secured to the under side of said plate and extending across the open side of the recess formed by the struck-up portion thereof, is a plate 139 which also comprises a struck-up portion 140 proportioned to enter the recess in the plate 133 formed by the struck-up portion 138 thereof, and clamped between said plates 133 and-139 at opposite sides of the recess formed by the struck-up portion 138 of the plate 133,

is a strip 141 of emery cloth or other suitable abrading material adapted to Contact directly With the tread of the separator roll. As shown, I'said strip of abrading material 141 is adapted to be clamped between the plates 133 and 139 by means of a screw stud 142 secured in the plate 139 and which extends through a hole in the plate 133 and threaded to which above the plate 133 is a nut 143.

By separator roll as used herein, I include both a continuous separator roll and a separator roll which consists of a plurality of relatively short sections secured to the shaft 92 in spaced relation.

lVhen the separator roll consists of separate sections, a roll dresser will be provided for each of said sections, said dressers, respectively, being maintained in engagement with the different sections of said roll by lugs 144 on the plate 133 which embraces opposite sides of said separator roll sections.

I have found from experience, that an oc-l casional application of my improved separator roll dresser is sufficient to secure normal operation of said separator roll, which, at other times, may and preferably will be raised and secured out of contact with said separator roll. The rod 134 affords convenient means for turning the separator roll dressers into and out of operative position, their `inoperative position being delined by means of Contact of an arm 145 secured to said rod with a rigid stop on the machine frame, said arm 145 also affording convenient means for turning said rod 134.

Associated with the separator roll 91 and the separator plate 97 are pull-out rolls 146 and 147, the roll 146 being a driven roll and the roll 147 being rotated by contact with said'driven roll, or with a blank passing between said rolls. As shown, the pull-out roll 146 is continuous, While the roll 147 consists of different sections. y

In the operation of the machine, the roll 146 is adapted to be driven continuously by means of driving connection With a suitable source of power, usually a driven part of the machine in connection with-Which my improved machine is used. As shown, said roll is adapted to be driven by means of a belt, not shown, applied to a pulley 148 secured to the shaft of the roll 146.

The idle roll 147 is arranged above the roll 146 and to provide for raising said roll to render the roll 146 accessible, the shaft 149 of said roll 147 is rotatably mounted in bearings formed in arms 150, 1501, rigidly secured to a rock shaft 151, rotatably mounted in bearings at the upper end of the side members a, a1 of the main frame of the machine.`A

The roll 147 is adapted to be maintained yieldingly in contact with the roll 146 and also in raised position by means of a spring 152 which connects an arm 153 secured to the rock shaft 151 with a rigid part of the machine frame, the connection of said spring 

